Whether your business is new or long-established, it is always worthwhile putting in the time to evaluate how you can grow and attract top talent consistently. While rushing to work with a first-rate engineering recruitment agency is a valid and even recommended idea, let’s start with some other ways you can get the right engineers to come to you.
Engineers are in demand. The demand far outweighs the supply thanks to the consistent lack of young people pursuing careers in STEM fields and the changing priorities of younger generations. There is a lot that can be done to change this, however your role is relatively straightforward. If you want to attract talented engineers with a passion for their work, you should offer them exciting projects with opportunities for them to learn and contribute towards something larger. If you have previously avoided taking on more diverse projects due to a fear of the unknown or for financial reasons, this could be the year you invest more in diversification.
Similarly, engineers know they can have a long and fruitful career ahead of them. Once they have acquired their primary qualification, they will seek to attain more skills to help them on the career ladder. While they will look for dynamic projects with substance and social status, they also want the opportunity to up-skill. If you provide training days with established speakers and learning opportunities, potential employees will want to work for you.
There are no tricks when it comes to attracting engineering talent. The potential to earn a decent salary is obvious, and there are also other ways to get talent onboard. Engineers have a lot of choice when it comes to the company they want to work for, and therefore you should make the perks of the job with you very clear. Establish clearly on all communications what your mission is – what is the bigger picture their engineering prowess will help to paint? Beneath the logical thought processes of an engineer is a hearty desire to make a difference in the world; be a part of something; to be a part of a community.
The best candidates flock to you when you get inside their head. Think like a budding engineer about to hit the ‘apply now’ button at home, adjust accordingly, and reap the rewards in the long term.
